Faith Like Hannah

Do you ever pray and barter with God? To put it another way…When you pray and ask for something, do you promise God something in return?

We are not in position to barter with God, but even if we do, He may still choose to answer a prayer that has an attached promise to it.

Hannah did barter with God. She prayed for a son and promised God…”if you give me a son, I will give him back to you Lord to serve you for his entire life.” She promised to give her Son over to the high priest and he be raised at the Tabernacle.

Samuel was three years old when she followed through with her promise to God.

All of us who have children eventually have to let them go. This is another blog for another day, but we must gradually let go of our children (return them to the Lord) for them to become mature, faithful, independent adults. (I will write about this soon!)

Hannah did visit her son Samuel each year at the Tabernacle. Many of us may think, WOW… I could not do this, give my child up – no way!

I watch my children with their new babies and could only imagine what Hannah was going through… to return a child to the Lord when she had longed for this child her entire life!

But…Hannah had prayed and made a promise to God. She trusted God and was willing to follow through on even a costly commitment. Hannah’s actions matched her words. As Christians who now have a direct relationship with God through Jesus, we need to reflect this type of faith!

Hannah was given 5 more children in addition to Samuel after she followed through on her word. Children are a gift from God – let’s not forget this! At her age she never expected more children, but God often blesses the faithful in ways we do not expect.

(Can I get an Amen!)

We must trust God like Hannah and know He will answer prayers in His timing. He is sovereign – meaning He knows all! Don’t resent His timing. His blessings may not be immediate, but the blessings will come to the faithful.

Please remember though – if you make a promise to God through prayer, follow through with it. God always keeps His promises and expects us to also!!

Now go be faithful like Hannah.

Stay Rooted,

Lisa and Heather